Born in a village north of the capital Juba, Mr Lako was taken at the age of ten – along with many other boys – by the South Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), under the guise of providing them with an education.

The group – which takes its name from Armadale’s church of St Francis Xavier – began in 1995 with the goal of providing outreach to parishioners and others in the community who needed help, normally in the form of food or additional support when they were struggling.

The chance to work for an organisation which makes a difference to the quality of people’s lives was the motivating factor for visual artist, Wendy, to join Identitywa, one of WA’s leading agencies supporting people with disability and their families.

More than 400 new staff have been commissioned to serve as “the face of Jesus” in Perth Catholic schools – as powerfully described by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe – in a number of Masses held throughout the Archdiocese this month.

When Sister Ursula Frayne and companions arrived at Barrack Street Jetty in January 1846, little did they know that their Order of the Sisters of Mercy – notable for achievements in education and social service – would go on to have a 170-year presence in the colony and throughout Australia.

The Archdiocese of Perth has this month held a seminar with the aim of engaging parishes and other Catholics in the debate about asylum seekers and refugees.

Santa Maria College in Attadale marked the beginning of an important school year with an opening Mass on 9 February which saw Archbishop Timothy Costelloe urge students to rethink the concept of mercy and how it might affect their interactions with others.

If the awe-inspiring interior and exterior design of St Patrick’s Basilica in Fremantle was not enough to offer visitors a profound spiritual experience, the majestic church has now opened its Holy Door for the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

Aboriginal health researcher and advocate, Dr Juli Coffin, hopes to build on the 20-year legacy of The University of Notre Dame Australia in Western Australia’s north-west in her new role as Executive Director and Head of the University’s Broome Campus.

Mazenod College in Lesmurdie has kicked off the start of its Jubilee Year and one of the most important moments of its history, this year celebrating 50 years as a school and the 200th anniversary of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.